Dyspeptic retired Marine wife/tech wench attempts to enlighten the great unwashed of the blogosphere while dodging snarky commentary from the local knavery.

October 29, 2013

Take Halloween Back

The sexy pirate wriggled her way between a phalanx of Stormtroopers, linked arms with them and stuck a bare leg out — red carpet style — for a photo.

“Why is she dressed like that?” asked my 9-year-old son, who was waiting in line to take his photo with the Star Wars battalion. “She just looks — disturbing. Pirates don’t dress like that. She’s not even wearing pants.”

Or much else.

It was a moment that won’t last. He’ll come to a different conclusion soon enough.

But at last weekend’s annual Halloween party at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum — the Air and Scare — the sexification of the holiday remained mostly in a galaxy far, far away.

The sexy happy-hour costumes were almost as scarce as that pirate lady’s pants. It was a gathering of geeky costumes — perfect Padawans, an orange pool-noodle bowl of mac n’ cheese, Spock covered in Tribbles, those Stormtroopers. It was also a reminder of how trashy Halloween has become elsewhere.

Comments

Leave it to adults animated solely by persistent adolescence or second childhood to insinuate themselves everywhere. If they are allowed to run the country in that state, why should it surprise they would permeate the culture. Our diversity seems to be ever more shades of gray.

And, can the vapid vulgar exhibitions, the de-bewitching of ladyparts, ever be forgiven?

This year I have to rush from Taijiquan class to treat-dispensing duty, so I'm going to Taiji in costume. Bright red field shorts & tee, black 5 fingers and big black belt, Santa hat, and a black domino. Natural (white) hair, beard, and mustache. I'm answering the door with "Ho Ho Ho!" and then looking confused.

Thoughts on the holiday:
- Halloween has a very mixed past; I'm quite happy w/ the 'modern' kids dress up for candy theme
- IIRC, the 'sexy' meme started w/ adult (only) parties on the holiday, and I've always thought it was fun . . . provided individuals didn't let things get out of hand. As we are a mature crowd here, I suspect most of us have attended a party where at least one person attracted so much attention that it became awkward, uncomfortable, or worse. For those of us sufficiently 'libertarian,' even that can be highly entertaining, it must be noted.
- the issue is that we're no longer willing to separate 'adult' stuff from our children. Kids need time to grow up and mature before being figuratively assaulted by the constant sexuality of our current public culture.

Walrus (Tom Magnum) with a short full beard. All natural, now more salt than cinnamon & sugar.

Given that we're coming up on Momember or Gromember (one of those silly things where males are to grow facial hair, in this case to support prostate cancer research), it was suggested by a female member of The Committee overseeing the competition at Spice's workplace that I shave my facial hair off and regrow it. "Sorry, no," I replied. She stared at me for a moment and turned to Spice. "No, I like him like this," she said, "he's my fuzzyface." The not-shaving-to-grow movement is universal there. Spice has never seen my face naked, and I'm not sure I want to risk that!

...the issue is that we're no longer willing to separate 'adult' stuff from our children. Kids need time to grow up and mature before being figuratively assaulted by the constant sexuality of our current public culture.

I think the other issue is that children imitate adults. That's where they get their sense of what's acceptable and what's right/wrong from.

I guess Libs don't realize that lots of women like to dress like whores! Fantasies of being prostitutes are common and many women talk to their friends about banging strangers for money or just giving it up. Runner up for prostitute fantasy: rape/forced sex. Jon Stewart is simple minded as is our popular culture. Alex